Martial Online.

"This is a great place." A spectacled woman in professional attire used her hands like a camera, moving them around to capture the bustling atmosphere of Hightown.

Her subordinate took out his recording camera and began filming the scene, focusing on the refugees and the players.

They were part of Tennehee's News Network.

They weren't the only journalists present, but they were determined to capture the most compelling footage for their viewers.

They wanted to bring attention to the struggles and resilience of the refugees, as well as the camaraderie between them and the players.

After a short while, a beautiful woman with long blond hair and a handsome middle-aged man with a brownish face approached them, holding cups of coffee that they had purchased from a nearby vendor.

"Oh, familiar faces." The professional-looking journalist looked at the two with a friendly smile.

"Nora." Sara, the news anchor of Nocklund's Morning News, shook the hand of her colleague and looked at the bustling scene. "I didn't expect to see such a scene."

"This damned fog will make recording anything difficult." Aaron, her colleague in Nocklund's Morning News, said while sipping the steaming coffee.

Their cameraman quickly walked over from the vendor that sold coffee. He held the cup of coffee in one hand and his small handheld camera in the other.

Since they couldn't bring any equipment from reality to the game, they had to use the camera that streamers often use. Luckily, it had a recording system in place, allowing them to easily record anything.

"Seen anything interesting yet?" Nora asked while adjusting the camera's settings.

"We just arrived." Sara said, her arms crossed. "You?"

"I saw a few familiar faces already." Nora then focused the camera on different alleyways, where refugees were sitting with their backs against the wall, their clothes ragged and torn.

"I think things will get very interesting; many big shots of the streaming world have appeared here." Nora said. "However, my news network won't focus on them."

"Really?" Aaron asked in a surprise. "Showing their faces could boost your numbers."

"I am sure everyone else would do that." Nora replied, "But we want to show the dark side of Martial Online."

"Aha." Aaron let out a chuckle. "Same as ever."

Nora rolled her eyes.

Sara patted her blond hair as the cold wind was making it messy, but at the same time, she caught a glimpse of a familiar person walking by, and her journalist instincts kicked in.

"Aaron, that is Sapphire, isn't she?" She exclaimed, as she was certain that it was the famous streamer because she was a long-time fan of hers!

Aaron looked over and saw a pink-haired girl walking by, looking at the nearby stalls with curiosity twinkling in her round, blue eyes.

She was a very adorable girl in her early twenties and was famously known as one of the pearls of ForeverStream, with a following of several hundred million.

Sapphire - Top 10 ranked streamer in the world!

"It's her!" Aaron exclaimed. "Let's have her interview!"

Sara nodded, then left to chase after the pink-haired girl with Aaron and the cameraman.

Nora sighed and looked at her subordinate. "Let's interview some of the refugees and get their life stories."

"Do they even have a story?" Her subordinate asked curiously. "Aren't they made of code? They have only existed slightly over a month."

"They all have lives they believe they have lived." Nora said. "This can bring some sympathy to NPCs. They, after all, look like us, typical humans who also have emotions."

'Emotions?' Her subordinate frowned but kept his doubts hidden inside his mind.

He never once thought about NPCs as ordinary humans.

He always saw them as mere lines of code, devoid of any true feelings.

...

Inside a certain inn room.

Munch—Bella, sitting on the edge of the bed, took a bite of the fresh pastries, enjoying the explosive flavors that attacked her taste buds.

She threw a glance in the direction of a black-haired young man who was leaning against a door, looking outside towards the foggy sky.

He also had a fresh pastry in his hand, taking small bites.

"Do you like it?" Bella asked curiously.

Ambrose looked away from the foggy sky and glanced at the red-eyed young woman before nodding with a smile.

"It's very good. I love the crispy texture and the sweetness of the filling."

"I am glad." Bella smiled and then asked. "Why are you looking outside?"

Ambrose glanced at the foggy sky before closing the balcony door and walking over to the bed.

"This weather reminds me a little of my hometown." He said and sat beside her before taking another pastry from the bag. "Gloomy weather. Gray sky. Cold air that seeps into one's bones."

"It doesn't sound very good." She replied and soon finished her pastry.

"It isn't." Ambrose chuckled. "I hate that place."

"Are you still living there?" Bella asked curiously.

"Kind of." Ambrose replied. "I am living outside that city, near the mountain range. Oh god, the view is breathtaking, and I actually get to see the stars at night."

"Sounds... awesome." Bella smiled and sighed. "Where I am from, it's always very sunny and hot. I kind of miss that. I hate being cold all the time."

"You could move to Amaterasu." Ambrose suggested. "It's warm and sunny there, with the scent of flowers in the air."

"I don't want to abandon my bookstore." Bella's lips curled down into a sad face.

"Mm." Ambrose nodded sympathetically, understanding her attachment to the bookstore. "On the other hand, if you decide to move to Amaterasu, I can easily get there if you need help."

He only had to remove his temporary spawn, log off, and log back in, and then he would be back at Amaterasu.

It would take less than ten seconds.

Bella's eyes widened, and she nodded thoughtfully.

"That is true..." She touched her chin, deep in thought, thinking about the possibility of moving over to Amaterasu.

"Emma also likes sunny weather." Ambrose stood up and walked over to the window. "She would be happy there."

As he looked towards the foggy sky, he noticed that it was suddenly dark.

A crescent moon appeared high above, its crimson light piercing through the blanket of gray clouds and the fog.

"I understand." Bella nodded and smiled, showing her cute dimples. "I'll move there."

"Nn." Ambrose nodded with a smile. "I think that city is also more secure with the Watchmen keeping an eye on the streets."

"Where do you plan on going next?" Bella asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"I was thinking about going to..."

THUMP—out of nowhere, an earth-shaking explosion rocked the town, interrupting their conversation.

"What was that?" Bella asked as she jumped to her feet.

Ambrose's eyes narrowed, and through the window, he saw a pillar of smoke lingering towards the sky.

Straight towards the crescent moon.

'Crescent moon...' His grip around the sword tightened, and he then turned around and approached the door. "Wait here; I'll go check it out."

"Wait, don't go!" Bella tugged his sleeve desperately, a look of fear on her face. "You don't have to go."

"I'll be right back." Ambrose reassured her with a resolute gaze, then opened the door and left the room.

Bella stayed standing in the doorway, watching as Ambrose disappeared down the hallway.

As she turned back to her room, darkness filled it suddenly, and a crimson light fell upon her.

Bella's heart raced, and a sense of unease washed over her.

Creak—the nearby doors opened, and worried-looking people entered the hallway, speaking with other guests, wondering what the loud explosion was.

Tap, tap, tap—an innkeeper rushed from downstairs and saw most of the guests standing in the hallway with worried looks on their faces.

"Everyone, return to your rooms. I got word from a friend of mine that there was a gas explosion. It's best to stay indoors until we receive further information."

The guests nodded and returned to their rooms amid whispers.

Some wore worried expressions, others had a look of confusion, but all carried a sense of unease.

They all had a hunch that it was more than just a gas explosion.